Dallas heads into its preseason matchup with Arizona looking for clarity at quarterback, receiver, linebacker and several key roster spots before cuts.
The Dallas Cowboys preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals won’t be about the final score nearly as much as it’ll be about who forces his way onto the roster.
Dallas enters the game after a 17-7 win over Seattle, and several position battles are starting to get real. With roster cuts approaching, this is where preseason stops feeling like practice and starts feeling like a job interview.
The biggest spotlight remains at backup quarterback.
Sam Howell completed 8 of 12 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown against Seattle, while Joe Milton III went 12 of 15 for 107 yards and a score. Both threw touchdown passes to Camden Brown.
That’s exactly why the QB2 battle is still wide open.
Howell brings experience and steadiness. Milton brings the bigger arm and higher physical ceiling. Whoever handles pressure, third downs and the two-minute offense better against Arizona could finally create some separation.
Then there’s Brown.
The young receiver caught two touchdowns against Seattle, and another productive night could turn him from a preseason curiosity into a legitimate 53-man roster candidate.
On defense, all eyes should be on Jaishawn Barham.
The rookie linebacker has drawn buzz throughout camp, and his preseason debut could offer the first real look at how Dallas plans to use him. At 6-foot-2 and roughly 240 pounds, Barham has the size and athleticism to line up in multiple spots.
Watch whether Dallas lets him attack downhill, rush from the edge or drop into coverage.
The offensive line also remains a major storyline, particularly at left tackle.
Tyler Guyton needs to continue showing he can become a dependable starter, while the Cowboys also need clarity behind him at swing tackle.
And don’t ignore the running backs.
Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Malik Davis, Israel Abanikanda and others are all fighting for snaps behind Javonte Williams. Special teams and third-down work may ultimately decide who sticks.
That’s really what this game is about. Dallas already knows what Dak Prescott and its established stars can do.
What it doesn’t know yet is which young players are ready to become real contributors. Arizona gives them one more chance to make the case. And for some of them, it may be the last one they get.
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (1-0) at Arizona Cardinals (1-1) NFL Preseason
WHERE: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 | 9 p.m. CT
TV: CBS-11
RADIO: 105.3 The Fan
BETTING ODDS VIA DRAFTKINGS
SPREAD: DAL +1.5
TOTAL: 37.5
MONEYLINE: DAL -102 | ARI -118
